Ferentz confident in return of Ott and Daniels

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is confident defensive end Drew Ott and running back LeShun Daniels will be back for the start of Big Ten play even if neither one is able to play this week against Pitt. Ott injured an elbow and Daniels injured an ankle in Saturday’s win at Iowa State.

“I think they have a chance this week”, said Ferentz. I don’t know how good a chance and we will know more by Thursday or Friday. I think it’s realistic that if they can’t make it Saturday hopefully it will be the week after.”

After a successful run as the defensive coordinator at Michigan State, Pat Narduzzi is in his first season as the head coach at Pitt and the Panthers are 2-0.

“Coach Narduzzi is not a good defensive coach, he is an outstanding defensive coach and he’s doing a great job as a head coach as well”, said Ferentz. “His influence there is certainly showing up on film and it is not just scheme. It is the effort the guys are playing with. They are really flying to the football.”

If the recent history of the series is any indication Saturday’s game will go down to the wire. The three previous games since 2008 were decided by an average of three points.